Moving from New York City, NY to Chicago, IL
791 miles across a state line, from New York into Illinois, so the federal interstate rules apply from the first quote.
Measured driving distance. Prices from our published model, not quotes.
In short
Moving from New York City, NY to Chicago, IL covers 791 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $3,560 – $4,746 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 1,969 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 791 miles between New York and Illinois, this sits in the range where carriers differ most. Some run it dedicated with a firm date; others consolidate it with other shipments and quote a window of 3 to 7 days. The price gap between those two is real — a two-bedroom home runs $3,560 – $4,746 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- 2 days on the road (about 14 hours of driving)
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from New York City to Chicago
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,670 – $3,560 | $1,922 – $2,563 | $1,281 – $1,709 |
| 1 bedroom | $3,204 – $4,271 | $2,307 – $3,075 | $1,538 – $2,050 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,560 – $4,746 | $2,563 – $3,417 | $1,709 – $2,278 |
| 3 bedrooms | $4,093 – $5,458 | $2,947 – $3,930 | $1,965 – $2,620 |
| 4 bedrooms | $4,627 – $6,170 | $3,332 – $4,442 | $2,221 – $2,962 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $5,339 – $7,119 | $3,844 – $5,126 | $2,563 – $3,417 |
Transport only, for 791 miles, from our published model: distance × home-size factor × service rate, shown as −10% to +20% around the base figure. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items sit on top. How we price it.
Worked example: a two-bedroom home, New York City to Chicago
791 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $3,955. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $3,560 to $4,746, transport only. Every parameter is on the methodology page; moving cost per mile explains why the rate falls with distance.
How many people move from New York City to Chicago
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 1,969 people a year (±589) moved from New York County, NY, home to New York City, to Cook County, IL, home to Chicago. Going the other way: about 1,941 people a year (±456). Movers from New York County make up 1.5% of the 127,735 people a year who moved into Cook County from another county or state.
At state level, the 2024 survey counts about 11,082 people a year (±3,600) moving from New York to Illinois and about 7,781 people a year (±1,903) from Illinois to New York — a net gain for Illinois of about 3,301 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Kings County, NY | 21,743 ±1,419 |
| Bronx County, NY | 11,469 ±1,191 |
| Queens County, NY | 8,427 ±1,066 |
| Westchester County, NY | 5,727 ±831 |
| Los Angeles County, CA | 5,267 ±746 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| DuPage County, IL | 13,206 ±1,320 |
| Lake County, IL | 6,678 ±1,090 |
| Will County, IL | 6,454 ±1,007 |
| Kane County, IL | 4,555 ±770 |
| Lake County, IN | 3,835 ±861 |
Licensed movers at each end
521 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of New York City (940 counting those licensed only inside New York). 317 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 15.2% of their 1,816 vehicle inspections ended with a truck put out of service. The largest by registered fleet:
| Carrier | Based in | Size | Inspections, 24 mo | Vehicle out of service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piece of Cake MovingUSDOT 3066988 | New York City · 2 mi | 340 trucks | 383 | 10.2% of 246 |
| Roadway MovingUSDOT 1854436 | New York City · 11 mi | 190 trucks | 236 | 12.0% of 166 |
| Great Moving IncUSDOT 2180117 | Staten Island · 7 mi | 70 trucks | 5 | 0.0% of 4 |
| Great Moving & Storage IncUSDOT 3547419 | South Plainfiel · 23 mi | 70 trucks | 20 | 21.4% of 14 |
| Oz Moving & Storage IncUSDOT 1058063 | Yonkers · 17 mi | 35 trucks | 27 | 13.3% of 15 |
| Molloy Moving & StorageUSDOT 241034 | Farmingdale · 30 mi | 33 trucks | 7 | 0.0% of 1 |
How these figures are calculated
At the Chicago end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Chicago: New World Van Lines Inc (Chicago, 204 trucks), National Van Lines Inc (Broadview, 174 trucks), New City Moving & Storage LLC (Chicago, 82 trucks), Complete Moving Inc (Arlington Heights, 80 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Because the truck crosses from New York into Illinois, 49 CFR Part 375 applies: a written estimate before loading, no more than 110% of a non-binding estimate collected at delivery, and full-value protection unless you choose released value in writing. See binding vs non-binding estimates and valuation explained.
Before you book New York City to Chicago
Ask: dedicated or consolidated?
This is the distance where carriers split. A dedicated truck costs more and delivers on a date; a consolidated load costs less and delivers in a window. Decide which you are buying before you compare prices.
Get it binding or not-to-exceed
A non-binding estimate is a guess with no ceiling. On 791 miles the gap between a guess and a weighed load is measured in four figures.
Arriving in Chicago
A local move inside Chicago later — across town, out of temporary housing — is billed by the hour: about $475 – $775 for a two-bedroom home and $795 – $1,425 for three bedrooms. The nearest cities we cover from Chicago are Milwaukee (about 95 mi), Madison (about 142 mi), Grand Rapids (about 146 mi).
Other routes from New York City
All routes from New York City, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| New York City to Jersey City, NJ | ~3 mi | $515 – $845 |
| New York City to Newark, NJ | ~10 mi | $515 – $845 |
| New York City to Mount Vernon, NY | ~19 mi | $515 – $845 |
| New York City to Yonkers, NY | ~19 mi | $515 – $845 |
| New York City to Paterson, NJ | ~19 mi | $515 – $845 |
| New York City to New Rochelle, NY | ~21 mi | $515 – $845 |
| New York City to Bridgeport, CT | ~62 mi | $515 – $845 |
| New York City to New Haven, CT | ~81 mi | $515 – $845 |
Also moving to Chicago: from Milwaukee, WI, from Madison, WI, from Grand Rapids, MI, from Peoria, IL.
New York City to Chicago moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from New York City to Chicago?
From our published model, full-service movers over 791 miles cost about $2,670 – $3,560 for a studio, $3,560 – $4,746 for a two-bedroom home and $4,093 – $5,458 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from New York City to Chicago take?
The drive is 2 days on the road (about 14 hours of driving), but the move usually takes 3 to 7 days because it moves on either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load, depending on the carrier and the season. Ask for the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 4 to 6 weeks, 6 to 8 in summer.
What is the cheapest way to move from New York City to Chicago?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $1,709 – $2,278 for a two-bedroom home, against $3,560 – $4,746 with full-service movers; a moving container is $2,563 – $3,417.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for New York City to Chicago?
Yes. New York City is in New York and Chicago is in Illinois, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 521 listed movers within 30 miles of New York City hold it.
How many people move from New York City to Chicago each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 1,969 people a year (margin of error ±589) moved from New York County, which contains New York City, to Cook County, which contains Chicago.
Sources for this page
The published cost model; US Census Bureau ACS migration flows (± is the 90% margin of error); the FMCSA Motor Carrier Census and Safety Measurement System; 49 CFR Part 375. Data last refreshed September 24, 2026.